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Guys, I really don’t want to spend all my time reading and writing about security. Can we just agree that the NSA has pretty much hacked every PC down to the metal? That there are other government and NGEs (non-government entities) that have done, or want to do the same? That it is inevitable that people will discover what was done by all these jokers and all the gaps will be compromised? And, finally, that the NSA is bad for USA businesses, but good for foreign Anti-Spyware companies like Kaspersky? Ok. That’s the current state of non-security.

So can we go back to writing about Mac tips and alien abductions please?

If that’s the view of my Silicon Valley business; if that’s what I deem as the best way to protect my customers privacy, and thereby keep the customer satisfied, does that make me an anarchist? A supporter of organized crime? Or anti-American?

Or let’s say I’m doing business in China, and I want to do business in China, but now the Chinese government wants access to my code, back doors, encryption keys. And for the sake of my customers, and my own integrity, and to protect my business “secrets”, I say, “No.” Does it mean my company is a monopoly? Does it mean I am anti-Communist? Or anti-Chinese?

Folks, this is getting crazy. Take a step back. From the perspective of national interests the NSA of the USA is supposed to have access to all my private information, conversations, and data? Just in case I might be a criminal or terrorist? And basically, China wants control of the Internet, access to data, pretty much the same thing, “justified” by what the USA and NSA have already done? This is so obviously nuts! Do I really have to explain this?

The NSA and all the many other governement agencies that are on the cyber-security gravy train, funded by our tax dollars, billions of our tax dollars, should get off their asses and help us protect our data. From everyone. Including themselves. Not just lock down the banks, and utilities, and insurance companies, and major corporations. Make sure that individuals have control of their own privacy. No backdoors for anybody. Then law enforcement and homeland security would have to do their investigative work the old-fashioned, pre-Bush Era way, by sticking to Constitutional restraints and using good detective work and communication.

Because if Apple and Google and other companies are encrypting our data so well that even they (much less the FBI) can’t read it without our consent or cooperation, then they’re protecting our privacy, and their business interests, and by extension, our national interests—better than our own government.

Read this book – Shane Harris’s “@War” is an informative read that will give you some keen insights into hacking and cyber warfare and the evolving stance of the US government and the agencies engaged in the struggle for power and funding in this arena. Though by its nature this book is destined to become an accounting of history, it is current enough to explain much of what is going on right now. Such as:

Why the NSA doesn’t do more to help protect the hacking of business interests? Has it even tried? And just what are “hackbacks” and are they really illegal?

Why is the FBI (instead of the NSA or US Cyber Command) making proclamations about North Korean culpability? One answer, the FBI’s DITU (Data Intercept Technology Unit) acquires the international “data” from domestic sources, that is passed to the NSA. (The FBI, traditionally tasked with domestic crime, now has more staff involved in collection and analysis of digital information than in “traditional” domestic crime investigations.)

Who stands to benefit from an increased fear of Internet crime, hacking, and warfare? Welcome to the new frontier—same as the old frontier—agencies, companies, and contractors vying for billions of dollars in taxpayer funds. Just watch as President Obama and congress find lots of reasons to put more and more resources into “Cyber Warfare”. (Why we have to be threatened with some kind of “war” to make our data more secure is another question. Haven’t all the hacks of banks and corporations and thefts of personal data given us some personal priorities of what really needs to be protected? Apparently not…)

Depending on how much you already pay attention to this topic you may be shocked, surprised, or affirmed by the level at which our Internet is already watched and controlled, and how much more control these players would like to have. This is not just a regurgitation of Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing. Without judging or indulging in politics of the left or right, it’s investigative journalism, with many cited sources, notes, and a thorough index. Best of all, it reads well.

Ah, the power of words. From this headline you would think that Edward Snowden was directly responsible for the damage done to US technology businesses. What a brilliant master criminal. Because? Because businesses (especially foreign businesses) are wary of companies who leave the door open for the NSA to come snooping around. Or give the NSA the keys to the house. Or throw the stuff into the back of the NSA truck parked in the driveway. So to speak. It’s all in how you phrase it, right? The Wall Street Journal has a certain Murdochian perspective on this. A somewhat more objective news organization might have titled the article, “Study Confirms: Discovery of NSA Spying Hurt U.S. Companies”.

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